Policing in the COVID19 space: Authority, legitimacy and adaption in a time of ambiguity

UK police forces have a wealth of experience in responding to emergencies but COVID-19 is unprecedented in terms of the speed, scale and complexity of developing doctrine and its implementation by officers across the UK. However, in meeting this adversity lies unparallel opportunity for important learning and knowledge development. Drawing on interviews with senior and operational police officers, this article outlines our research on how the fast-changing legislative and guidance frameworks imposed on policing during the COVID-19 crisis have created immense leadership and operational challenges. Yet, narratives around both ‘self-legitimacy’ and ‘bounded authority’ exemplify the limits of police authority in a rapidly evolving policing context.